E – Elections

E – Elections

Edward was tired, not physically tired, but emotionally drained. It was the year 2028, and another major election was coming up. He had spent the last three years listening to all the promises and plans of the upcoming candidates in all government areas: local, state, and federal. And Edward was tired.

From experience, he knew that most of the promises were empty ones. Whatever the candidate promised was based on their political party. The candidates refused to accept that some opinions from an opposing party were viable choices, even if, as individuals, they knew the other party was correct. 

Each candidate claimed they were telling the truth. To listen and believe an opposing candidate would have dire consequences. They all had facts to back their positions, some real, some fake. 

In reality, some of what was shared had merit. Some of what had been shared and promised in previous elections had been attempted and even accomplished. But, far more was tripe, memorized rhetoric, with unattainable results. 

We needed a different system of government. Oh, how Edward wished that would happen in his lifetime.

Edward lay back in his comfy recliner, turned off the TV, put on noise-canceling headphones to block out the sounds of cars racing through the neighborhood, and even put on his sleep mask to block out all the light in the room. He just wanted to get some uninterrupted rest and let his mind go blank (which was hard to do). 

He was startled by a tap on his shoulder. He removed his mask and headphones and looked around to see who had tapped him. There shouldn’t have been anyone in his house. The problem he discovered was that he wasn’t in his house. The house was similar to his own, but the furniture was very different. One could say it was futuristic, which it was. 

“Sorry to have startled you,” a familiar voice behind him said, “but I thought it was time to give you some of the answers you seek.” 

Edward quickly got up, turned around, and stared at the person facing him. 

There in front of him, stood a man, about the same height as Edward, with the same color eyes, much grayer hair, dressed in a one-piece jumpsuit style of clothing. This person was at least 90 years old but looked very healthy. 

“Who are you? And where am I?” Edward questioned. 

“I am from the future,” was the man’s first response, “As to who I am, I’m sure you’ll figure it out soon enough.”

A crazy thought entered Edward’s mind, but it was so ridiculous he let it pass. 

“You want to know whether the political structure in your time will change in your lifetime? And the answer is yes.”

“How will that happen?  I see no way the political climate is going to get better.”

“You think as many did, and without the disaster that took place in the twenty-first century, you would have been correct. But major disasters that threaten the globe can bring people together.”

Edward wasn’t sure what the man standing before him was talking about. “We have a major disaster looming. There’s climate change, misinformation about pandemics, pollution, poverty, and wars for possession of land, to name a few. These have been happening for years, and there has been no change. Things only got worse. How can one disaster change all that when nothing else seemed to work?”

The reply was simple. “That’s because this disaster was not even anticipated until it happened.”

“And political parties and their opposing views and information. How does one correct that?” Edward asked.

 Another simple response: “This was easily remedied because there are no more political parties. The only party that exists now is the Human Party. All views are listened to, and all facts are verified and accepted, both in the United States and all the countries of the world.”

This had to be a dream. There was no way anything like what was being described could actually exist. 

“I know you doubt this is the truth. I would share with you the world I live in now, but alas, I’m not permitted to do that. You need to trust me, or should I say you need to trust yourself, for you will be a big part of that change. And it starts now.”

This was a bit much for Edward to take. He sat down again, closed his eyes, and tried to focus on what was said. He had more questions to ask, but when he opened his eyes again, he was back in his recliner, house, and time. 

He never saw that person again. He had a suspicion about who that person might be, and if he’s right, he has about fifty more years before he find out if he’s correct. 

As for now, he had things to do. How does one get their name on a ballot?